Top load liquid filter assembly, system, and methods

Abstract

A top load liquid filter assembly includes a filter lockout mechanism to ensure that the filter base and cover are not connectable unless there is a proper filter cartridge installed therein. The filter system can also include an automatic drain mechanism and a cartridge retention mechanism. One example embodiment further includes an air bleed vent. A filter cartridge usable in the topload liquid filter assembly includes first and second protrusions and cover-gripper members. Methods of use, installing, servicing, and retaining can be practiced.

We claim: 
     
       1. A filter cartridge for orienting into a housing having an inner core piece and filter support; the filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) a closed endcap having an inside wall defining a first open volume; 
 (b) a tubular construction of filter media secured to the closed endcap; 
 (c) an open endcap secured to the filter media at an end opposite of the closed endcap; and 
 (d) means for disengaging the inner core piece from the filter support, when the filter cartridge is oriented in the housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The filter cartridge of  claim 1  wherein the means for disengaging includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending from the inside wall into the first open volume;
 (i) the first protrusion being spaced from the second protrusion in a vertical direction along the inside wall; and 
 (ii) the first protrusion being circumferentially spaced from the second protrusion along the inside wall. 
 
     
     
       3. The filter cartridge according to  claim 2  wherein the means for disengaging further includes a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion extending from the tubular wall and into the first open volume;
 (i) the third protrusion being circumferentially-spaced from the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the fourth protrusion; and 
 (ii) the third protrusion being vertically spaced from only two of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the fourth protrusion. 
 
     
     
       4. The filter cartridge according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 (a) a closed endcap seal member operably held by the closed endcap; and 
 (b) a open endcap seal member operably held by the open endcap. 
 
     
     
       5. The filter cartridge according to  claim 4  wherein:
 (a) the closed endcap defines a first neck; the closed endcap seal member being oriented on an outer radial surface of the first neck; and 
 (b) the open endcap defines a second neck; the open endcap seal member being oriented on an outer radial surface of the second neck; and 
 (c) a plurality of standoffs extending axially from the closed endcap and being spaced radially outwardly from the first neck. 
 
     
     
       6. The filter cartridge according to  claim 4  wherein:
 (a) the closed endcap defines a first neck, the first neck defining a through-channel arrangement;
 (i) the closed endcap seal member being oriented on an outer radial surface of the first neck on one side of the through-channel arrangement; and 
 (ii) the closed endcap second seal member being oriented on an outer radial surface of the first neck on a second side of the through-channel arrangement; and 
 
 (b) a second filter media construction operably oriented to cover the through-channel arrangement. 
 
     
     
       7. The filter cartridge according to  claim 1  further including:
 (a) first and second cover gripper members with spaced flexible projections each having a bead, projecting from the closed endcap. 
 
     
     
       8. A filter cartridge for orienting into a housing having an open mouth removably covered by a service cover; the filter cartridge comprising:
 (a) a first endcap having an inside wall defining a first open volume; 
 (b) a tubular construction of filter media secured to the first endcap; 
 (c) a second endcap secured to the filter media at an end opposite of the first endcap; and 
 (d) means for mating with the service cover, when the filter cartridge is oriented in the housing and covered with the service cover. 
 
     
     
       9. The filter cartridge according to  claim 8  wherein the means for mating includes first and second cover gripper members with spaced flexible projections each having a bead, projecting from the first endcap. 
     
     
       10. The filter cartridge according to  claim 8  further comprising a first protrusion and a second protrusion extending from the inside wall into the first open volume;
 (i) the first protrusion being spaced from the second protrusion in a vertical direction along the inside wall; and 
 (ii) the first protrusion being circumferentially spaced from the second protrusion along the inside wall. 
 
     
     
       11. The filter cartridge according to  claim 10  further comprising a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion extending from the tubular wall and into the first open volume;
 (i) the third protrusion being circumferentially-spaced from the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the fourth protrusion; and 
 (ii) the third protrusion being vertically spaced from only two of the first protrusion, the second protrusion, and the fourth protrusion.